Five fabulous global destinations for biking in the fall
Grab your helmet and take a ride through these five bike-friendly cities around the world.
By Cassandra Brooklyn | September 12, 2023 (Updated July 16, 2026)
Autumn brings fiery fall foliage, pleasant temperatures, and a more relaxed pace for traveling. And what better way to explore than on two wheels? Whether you’re looking for seaside rides in warm weather or crisp and cool jaunts along forested paths, these five destinations provide the perfect mix of fall fun, food, and foliage around the world.
In this article: Top destinations for biking in the fall
Portland, Oregon
If Portland is known for one thing, it’s excellent cycling. The city also has fantastic food, a buzzing beer culture, and postcard-perfect fall foliage, making it the ultimate U.S. destination for leaf-peeping bike lovers. While there are many places to rent your wheels, a stay at Canopy by Hilton Portland Pearl District includes access to complimentary Canopy Bikes. Primely located near the waterfront trail, Portland Japanese Garden, and downtown, the hotel is also just a 15-minute walk (even faster by bike!) from Tom McCall Waterfront Park. There you’ll find a car-free cycling trail along the shore of the Willamette River, continuing around to the Eastbank Esplanade and its “floating walkway” with unobstructed views of downtown. You’ll also be within a 2- to 7-minute bike ride from the Portland Art Museum, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Powell’s City of Books, and the Midtown Beer Garden, a newly revamped food cart pod and live music destination.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the unofficial world capital of all things cycling. Most locals get around on two wheels, so you’ll fit right in riding along the canals and protected bike lanes that blanket the Dutch capital. Though biking aficionados could easily spend their entire holiday riding around the city, Amsterdam is also a pedestrian paradise, and its canal cruises are another unique way to take in the fall foliage. Conveniently located along the Herengracht Canal, Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is the perfect home base, where your concierge can arrange a private boat tour of the city’s most iconic canals. Save time for Amsterdam’s history and culture, including visiting the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, and the delectable food markets.
Washington, D.C.
Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, family, or your significant other, the U.S. capital is the perfect place for fun on two wheels. Not only does Washington have world-class museums (many of which are free) and restaurants, but it’s one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country. Though biking in Washington is excellent year-round, fall brings much more comfortable temperatures, with the trees lining the bike trails lighting up in brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Well-marked bike lanes and protected paths will get you around town from The Wharf to Georgetown and, if you’re looking for longer rides, you can make it all the way out to Alexandria, Virginia, or Bethesda, Maryland. Canopy by Hilton Washington DC The Wharf provides free Canopy Bikes for guests, and the hotel is just 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from the National Mall and situated in a vibrant waterfront neighborhood that’s great to explore by bike.
Ottawa, Canada
Canada’s National Capital Region of Ottawa-Gatineau has over 373 miles (600 kilometers) of multi-use, car-free pathways to explore, making it the perfect place for all sorts of cycling. From easy sightseeing rides along Ottawa’s recreational paths to expert trails and mountain biking routes just outside the city, cyclists of all walks (rides?) of life will find exactly what they’re searching for. Escape Bike Tours & Rentals and RentABike shops are conveniently located in the downtown area, and you can even rent a tandem or electric bike to ride on your own or as part of a guided biking tour. Stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Ottawa Downtown for easy access to the city’s top attractions in between rides. Picturesque waterways and forested paths become even more beautiful in autumn, and while there’s almost no bad place to go for a ride, a great place to start is the Capital Pathway — one of the most extensive networks of off-road, multi-use paths in North America.
San Diego
While summer in San Diego calls for beach trips and boat rides, come fall, the city transforms into a pedaling paradise. The Mission Trails Regional Park offers 5,800 acres (roughly 2,347 hectares) of terrain and biking trails for virtually any type of ride— from leisurely sightseeing trips to full-day adventures for experienced riders. Balboa Park's striking Spanish-colonial architecture and lush gardens are a treat any time of year, but every weekend in October the San Diego Zoo (located within the park) hosts a family-friendly HalGLOWeen event. Beyond admiring the animals at the zoo, visitors will also be entertained by scarecrow stilt performers, spider acrobats, and more. For a convenient home base, Hilton San Diego Bayfront places guests directly on the waterfront beside the San Diego Convention Center, with sweeping bay views, resort-style amenities, and quick access to the city's top attractions.
Cassandra Brooklyn
Cassandra Brooklyn is a freelance writer and guidebook author specializing in travel, accessibility, sustainability, and all things outdoors. Originally hailing from the Midwest, she now lives in New York City but escapes to adventures around the world as often as possible. She's the author of the cycling guidebook, Cuba By Bike, has contributed to multiple guidebooks about Egypt, Portugal, and the United States, and she has bylines in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Forbes, The Daily Beast, and Lonely Planet, among others.
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